Chapter 40: Another Problem

Chapter 40: More Trouble

Lin Zhijin returned home in a good mood. After two more dates, once she confirmed that Yang Su didn't mind her past, that his family could accept her, or that he could handle it, then when he confessed, she would agree.

"You're in a good mood—does this mean things are moving along?" Li Yue nudged Lin Zhijin's arm with her elbow.

"What's moving along? I just went to the countryside once—are you two hiding something from me?" Wang Chunhua immediately leaned in.

Li Yue looked at Lin Zhijin, and only after she nodded did she tell Wang Chunhua about her and Yang Su.

"Yang Shuo, Mayor Yang's nephew? That's wonderful—tall, handsome, and from a good family too. He and our Zhijin are a perfect match, a match made in heaven." Wang Chunhua's eyes lit up as she looked at Lin Zhijin. "So you've already confirmed the relationship? When's the wedding banquet?"

Goodness—Li Yue was asking if things were moving along, and Wang Chunhua was already asking about the wedding banquet.

"What are you two on about? We just had one meal together. I think we had a nice chat, that's it." Lin Zhijin thought for a moment and decided not to tell them about the theater tickets, so they wouldn't keep teasing her.

The next morning, Lin Zhijin rummaged through her closet and dug out quite a few nice clothes and dresses. After thinking it over for a while, she settled on a simple, elegant outfit: a high-neck fitted sweater, a pink jacquard satin vest lined with gray squirrel fur, straight-leg cashmere pants, and a black cashmere coat on top.

She turned around once in front of the full-length mirror, braided her hair into a double Dutch braid, and for accessories chose only a pair of pearl earrings and a watch. A little pearl cream, some lip balm, and she was good to go.

"Oh my, all dressed up and looking so pretty?" Li Yue opened the door and couldn't help but brighten at the sight of the stylish Lin Zhijin, then gave her a knowing smile. "Going on a date, are we?"

"No, don't be silly." Lin Zhijin tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Li Yue knew she was shy and didn't press the issue. "Alright, off to work then. Will you be back for dinner?"

"I'll grab something at the cafeteria." Lin Zhijin met her teasing gaze and hurried off, pushing her bicycle.

When she arrived at the office, Chen Qiuqiu and Wang Xiaoyao looked a bit surprised, while Su Jianhong felt pleased—a woman putting effort into her appearance meant she had feelings for someone.

When Su Jianhong stepped out, Wang Xiaoyao quietly sidled up to Lin Zhijin. "Zhijin, you seem to get along pretty well with my eldest sister."

Lin Zhijin turned her head. "Not bad, I guess."

Maybe because Lin Zhijin had delivered the referral letter and helped set up her dorm and job, Wang Xiaofen was really grateful. Every time they ran into each other, she greeted her warmly, and if they had time, they'd chat a bit. Over time, the two had grown closer.

"Could you help talk some sense into her? Being a fitter is really tough. Mom pulled some strings to get her a different job, but she's stubborn as a mule and won't accept it." Wang Xiaoyao wore a worried expression.

"What job?" Lin Zhijin hadn't heard Wang Xiaofen mention anything.

"An accounting apprentice in the finance department. Mom says it's an office job where she can learn real skills, and the older she gets, the more valuable she is—she'll never have to worry about making a living. I think it sounds great too, but eldest sister won't even meet with Mom. Zhijin, she'll probably listen to you. Please talk to her—Mom just wants what's best for her." Wang Xiaoyao sighed softly.

Accounting apprentice? That's a good position. Wang's mother was genuinely thinking of her daughter's future.

"Alright, I'll mention it to her when I get the chance." Lin Zhijin nodded.

This really was a good opportunity for Wang Xiaofen. As a friend, Lin Zhijin hoped she'd take it. Why turn down what her own mother offered? No need to make life harder than it has to be.

Of course, if Wang Xiaofen insisted on refusing, Lin Zhijin wouldn't push further. Other people's lives weren't hers to run.

"Thank you." Wang Xiaoyao said gratefully.

"Don't thank me yet—my advice might not work." Lin Zhijin smiled.

The machinery factory was a bit of a ways from the Southern District Street Office, and it wasn't urgent. Lin Zhijin wasn't about to make a special trip—she'd bring it up when they ran into each other or when she had free time.

The morning wasn't busy, but before the afternoon shift even started, two groups showed up. The first was a pair of sisters-in-law who had gotten into a fight and wanted to divide the household. They didn't dare go to the police, so they came to the Women's Federation—after all, they were all women, and wasn't the Federation supposed to handle women's issues?

Well, it was technically their job. After Lin Zhijin and Chen Qiuqiu heard them out, they found the conflict ran deep and suggested splitting the family. But the old lady refused, so things were stuck.

Before that group could leave, a second one arrived—this time a domestic violence case, and it was someone they knew. Zhang Caixia, who had been brought in by her mother last time, was bruised and swollen, with one arm broken.

"Comrade Lin." Zhang Caixia couldn't lift her head in front of Lin Zhijin.

For her sake, Comrade Lin had made two trips, and then she'd kept defending that animal of a husband. But it only lasted a short while before he started beating her again.

Seeing Zhang Caixia's sorry state, the sisters-in-law from the first group stopped arguing and watched curiously, listening intently.

"Comrade Lin, look what he did to my daughter—broken arm, two cracked ribs, she lay in bed for a full ten days before she could get up. Please, the Federation must help Haixia. She's definitely getting a divorce this time." Zhang's mother poked Zhang Haixia's head with a frustrated look.

Lin Zhijin looked Zhang Haixia up and down, then pointed to a chair. "Have a seat. What do you want to do about it?"

Zhang Haixia opened her mouth, saw her mother's furious glare, and pressed her lips together. "Divorce. Comrade Lin, I want to divorce Li Fengnian. But... can I take the children?"

"Take the children? How will you remarry with kids in tow?" Zhang's mother objected immediately.

Zhang Haixia looked at her in disbelief. "Mom, with the way Li Fengnian is, how can I abandon the children? They'll starve. They're my own flesh and blood—I have to take care of them."

"Stop arguing." Lin Zhijin tapped the table. "Let me ask again—are you certain you want a divorce?"

"Yes. Comrade Lin, I'm certain I want a divorce." Zhang Haixia said through reddened eyes, her voice firm and resolute.

Lin Zhijin nodded. "You've been beaten this badly—did you file a police report?"

"My parents did, but Li Fengnian ran off. They haven't found him yet." Zhang Haixia choked out.

"Good. With that police record, the divorce will be easier. As for the children—I recall your eldest son is five and your daughter is three. Given their father's situation, we'd strongly recommend the children stay with you. Don't worry—in your circumstances, the Federation will do what we can. For example, if a suitable job comes up, we'll prioritize you." Lin Zhijin closed her notebook and spoke seriously.

Hearing that the Federation could prioritize job placement, Zhang's mother fell silent. It wasn't that she didn't love her two grandchildren—she just cared more about her daughter. With two kids, remarrying would be hard. But with a job, things were different: her daughter could support the children herself, and a future in-law family couldn't look down on her.

The sisters-in-law from the first group withdrew their fascinated gazes, exchanged a look, instantly dropped their gossipy expressions, snorted, and turned away from each other, refusing to acknowledge one another.

"See? Now you know my son is good, right? He doesn't gamble, doesn't drink, doesn't hit his wife. I treat you both so well, and you still want to split the family. Hmph, don't be ungrateful. Come on, back home with me—making a scene in front of the government, have you no shame?" The old lady said angrily.

"Ha! Your younger son doesn't gamble or hit his wife, sure, but he's got mistresses—the widow to the east, the prostitute to the west. He's probably picked up all kinds of filthy diseases, scratching himself down there all day, and leaving his dirty pants lying around. What if he infects us too? Dafu, think about your sons and daughters—what if they catch something?" The eldest daughter-in-law gave the old lady no face at all, and even dragged the eldest son into it.

"You're full of crap! My man's healthy! Your man's the problem—he drinks a bit of cheap liquor and goes on a rampage, smashing everything in the house. When will this ever end? Mom, I'm begging you—please, have mercy and let us split the family." With that, the younger daughter-in-law dropped to her knees with a thud. "Don't worry, after we split, we'll still honor you just the same—no, even more than before."

The old lady clutched her chest and wailed, "Get out! Go back to your parents' homes! Our family has no use for daughters-in-law who tear it apart!"

"Dafu, say something!"

"Dagui, if we don't split the family today, you don't need your mother to kick me out—I'll divorce you and go back to my parents' house myself." The younger daughter-in-law thought about how the Federation comrades had helped that woman get a divorce, so they could help her too. She'd heard the Federation even helped find new spouses. She was still young and could bear children—finding someone new shouldn't be a problem.

"Comrades, look—this is how they bully an old woman like me!" The old lady wailed and carried on.

"Enough." Chen Qiuqiu barked, sweeping her gaze across the three women, who fell silent. "What do you two brothers have to say? A man should act like a man—hiding behind the women is no way to behave."

The two brothers exchanged glances. Finally, the younger one, Dagui, stammered that they should go home and discuss it with their granduncle and maternal uncles first. If they did split the family, they hoped the Street Office and Federation leaders could bear witness.

Watching the family leave, Wang Xiaoyao curled her lip. "They're practically enemies already—why not just split?"

"The old lady won't hold out much longer. The family will definitely be split before New Year's." Chen Qiuqiu could tell at a glance that the two sons were the ones who really wanted to split.

Wang Xiaoyao sidled up to Lin Zhijin again, curious. "That Zhang Caixia—do you think she'll forgive her husband again?"

"Hard to say." Lin Zhijin couldn't make any guarantees.

Li Fengnian's gambling and violence weren't one-time occurrences. Yet she'd still had two children with him, which showed Zhang Caixia had a very high tolerance for him. She was swearing up and down now, but once her injuries healed and the man came back with a few sweet words, it wouldn't be surprising if she forgave him again.

A few more people came for consultations, and by the time they finished it was nearly six o'clock. Lin Zhijin quickly packed up to leave, picking up a flatbread from a roadside stand for dinner on the way.

When she arrived at the meeting spot, she didn't see Yang Su—instead, she spotted the young soldier she'd met once before, the one who had delivered a message from Yang Su last time.

Lin Zhijin felt a twinge of unease, and sure enough, the soldier said Yang Su had been pulled away on an urgent mission and wouldn't have time to see the play.

"The regiment commander asked me to tell you he's sorry. Here are the tickets—he said you could bring a friend along. Once the mission is over, he'll come back and apologize in person," the young soldier said solemnly.

Lin Zhijin sighed inwardly as she took the tickets. Was this a blessing in disguise, or were they just not meant to be?

"I understand. Please tell Regiment Commander Yang that we can see the play another time. The mission comes first—he needs to stay safe and not get hurt again," Lin Zhijin said with a faint smile.

She looked at the tickets, hesitated, then decided to head home. For one thing, going alone wouldn't be much fun; for another, the play would end too late, and walking home alone in the dark as a young woman wasn't safe.

And as for her relationship with Yang Su, she needed to think it over carefully.

Author's note:

None